International

Berry flies in for Chautauqua jumpout

Tommy Berry will fly into Melbourne from Hong Kong to ride Chautauqua in an all-important jumpout - as D-Day looms large for the champion grey.

In a move that goes against the Hong Kong Jockey Club's policy to disallow their contracted jockeys to go abroad for anything other than rides on Group 1 race days, the HKJC have allowed Berry a special leave ticket to rejoin forces with the grey who he has famously partnered to five of the horse's six Group 1 victories.

Chautauqua's career was at a crossroads in the autumn period, after he refused to leave the barriers at the trials on multiple occasions.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes confirmed Berry was their last attempt at finding the tonic to suit their rising eight-year-old.

"Tommy Berry's going to come back from Hong Kong and ride him in the jumpout on Friday," Hawkes said.

"We spoke about it and thought, 'you know what, it's our last-ditch effort, let's leave no stone unturned', not that the other boys had done anything wrong with him, but Tommy's won five Group 1s on him, and if he rides him and it doesn't happen, we've done everything we possibly can, haven't we?

"If he can get through everything and do what he does, Tommy will definitely be riding him."

"The Jockey Club were more than happy to let him come back to ride the jumpout, it's certainly not protocol so I do need to say thanks to the Jockey Club."

Asked if Friday would be a nervous morning for him in the lead-up, Hawkes responded: "Not really.

"Chautauqua owes us nothing. He's won $8 million, 5-6 Group 1s, he's taken us around the world, we've beaten some of the world's best, and you've trained the world champion horse.

"When it's all said and done, he owes me and my family zero, and I really mean that.

"On Racing.com last night, we showed some footage of him in the sand roll bouncing around yesterday afternoon, and we can't get him any better.

"He's as good as he is, his mental attitude's fantastic, and we've just got one little hurdle - he's got to come out of those gates fast."

Berry is looking forward to reuniting with Chautauqua on Friday morning, and is quietly confident of getting the horse back on track - even touting him as a chance for the world's richest turf race.

"He's been a great horse to me, owes nothing but I'd love to see him turn up for another campaign," Berry said prior to flying out of Hong Kong, where he will then return in time for the final day of the Hong Kong season on Sunday.

"He's a genuine superstar capable of anything on his day.

"I'll ride him in the jumpout and then stick with him when he resumes in Sydney, where The Everest will be a target race.

"The Everest looks an even race at the moment, no standout and if he returns somewhere near his best, he'll beat them.

"If he's got it in him to run somewhere near his best, then Hawkesy will get him there."